Indications for Seeking Medical Attention for Allergic Rhinitis
Indications for Seeking Medical Attention for Allergic Rhinitis
If the following situations occur, you should seek medical attention immediately: Allergic rhinitis symptoms (such as paroxysmal spray, clear watery nasal discharge, nasal itching, and nasal congestion) persist and can't be relieved; Symptoms can't be relieved after taking anti-allergic drugs or the adverse reactions of drugs can't be tolerated; Suffering from diseases that can aggravate allergic rhinitis symptoms, such as nasal polyps, asthma, or frequent sinus infections. Department for Medical Attention Otolaryngology
Differentiation of Allergic Rhinitis
The differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is extensive and somewhat complex. When the nasal mucosa is inflamed and symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion occur, an appropriate diagnosis must be made based on a detailed medical history and targeted examinations. Allergic rhinitis should be differentiated from the following diseases.
Vasomotor Rhinitis
Vasomotor Rhinitis is relatively rare and most often diagnosed The symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis are very similar to those of allergic rhinitis, especially sneezing and watery nasal discharge, which can usually be caused by cold air, pungent tobacco smoke, alcohol, exercise, and emotional reactions. The cause is unclear, and it can be differentiated based on negative allergen skin tests and specific IgE assays, as well as the absence of typical changes in nasal secretion smears. Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) The cause of NARES is still unclear, and there is no obvious trigger for the onset of symptoms. The symptoms are also very similar to those of allergic inflammation, and there are also a large number of eosinophils in nasal secretions, but skin tests and specific IgE assays are negative.
Endocrine Rhinitis
It is more common in women with premenstrual syndrome, and can also be seen in women in the honeymoon period, the so-called honeymoon rhinitis, with nasal discharge and congestion as the main symptoms, which may be accompanied by sneezing attacks, caused by abnormal levels of endocrine hormones such as sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and pituitary hormones. The allergen sensitivity test is negative, and there are no eosinophils in the nasal secretions.
Infectious Rhinitis
It is caused by a viral or bacterial infection within 7 to 10 days, with a short course of disease, similar to the initial symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and may be accompanied by fever, headache, fatigue, and limb pain. There are no eosinophils in the nasal secretions, and the allergy test is negative, but the lymphocyte count is higher after acute bacterial infection.
Drug-induced Rhinitis
Nasal congestion caused by long-term use of decongestant nasal sprays is its prominent feature. The allergen sensitivity test is negative, and there are no eosinophils in the nasal secretions.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
It is caused by a viral or bacterial infection within 7 to 10 days, with a short course of disease, similar to the initial symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and may be accompanied by fever, headache, fatigue, and limb pain. There are no eosinophils in the nasal secretions, and the allergy test is negative, but the lymphocyte count is higher after acute bacterial infection.